Sabasports Match Preview
Carabao Cup:Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Kickoff Time: 2025-12-24 4:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/David Klein
In last weekend’s Premier League match, Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory against Everton, achieving three consecutive wins across all competitions. Compared to previous seasons, Arsenal’s performance this season has become more stable. Despite a heavily congested schedule, they have managed to maintain their attacking advantage, with new signings Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze gradually integrating into the team.
Under Mikel Arteta’s tactical system, Arsenal typically employs a strategy where full-backs advance and center-backs press forward to compress the opponent’s ball possession space, forcing errors under high pressure to win back possession. Additionally, set pieces have always been an important scoring method for Arsenal; they have scored over 15 goals from set pieces for four consecutive seasons, and they exceeded 10 goals after the 10th round of this season. This unique ability in set pieces makes them formidable, as Arsenal can always rely on set pieces to break the deadlock.
In contrast, Crystal Palace suffered a disastrous 1-4 defeat to promoted Leeds United in their last Premier League match, managing only 1 draw and 2 losses in their last three games, showing a clear decline in form. Crystal Palace’s tactical system centers around quick counter-attacks and high pressing in midfield; they excel at exploiting gaps in the opponent’s defense and using wing play to break through.
However, with matches coming every three days lately, the thin squad problem has become more apparent for Crystal Palace. Facing multiple competitions, they are beginning to show signs of fatigue, with significant physical exertion affecting their performance in both attack and defense. In their last three matches, Crystal Palace has scored only 3 goals while conceding 9, a disappointing performance far below their normal level.
From a holistic view of strength and squad depth, Arsenal is clearly a class above Crystal Palace. Given their experience in juggling multiple competitions and the flexibility of their squad, Arsenal has an advantage over Palace. Moreover, in the first league meeting of this season, Arsenal has already defeated Crystal Palace, giving the Gunners a psychological edge. Overall, with both strength and form on their side, Arsenal is undoubtedly a team to support.
Arsenal‘s Last 5 Games: WWWLW
25-12-21: Everton 0-1 Arsenal
25-12-14: Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
25-12-11: Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
25-12-06: Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
25-12-04: Arsenal 2-0 Brentford
Crystal Palace‘s Last 5 Games: LDLWW
25-12-21: Leeds United 4-1 Crystal Palace
25-12-19: Crystal Palace 2-2 Giubbs
25-12-14: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
25-12-12: Shelburne 0-3 Crystal Palace
25-12-08: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Head-To-Head Record
25-10-26: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
25-04-24: Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
24-12-22: Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal
24-12-19: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
24-01-20: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
Prediction:Arsenal to win at home